Every half-year, like a well-timed event, something comes over me and I MUST rebuild my computer. Sometimes there is a new case that I am excited to try out or a new component is released and I decide to upgrade. Sometimes I am stressed about an interview and use the pressure leading up to it to design a case that has been stuck in my mind and 3D print it before I wake up the next day!
Enter: MOS.
This open-air case (stand) is designed for Mini-ITX builds with no limit on CPU cooler or GPU size, other than interference with the motherboard. The stand utilizes components like the power supply to provide additional strength to the backbone. The GPU is meant to rest on the thick base as part of its support.
The case has two sizes, the larger cutouts for PSU cables and other wires, keeping things tidy up front.
In additional to being a supporting structure for the GPU, the base is home to the power button and a single USB C port which will connect to the USB C front-header port on some motherboards (currently waiting for mine to show up so its empty for now.)
The entire stand is assembled using m3, m4, and m5 screws and their heat-set threaded inserts.
Iterations
Prototype
My initial prototype was used to confirm visual balance and begin alignment of standoffs and to begin testing tolerances.
V1
With budding confidence in the prototype, I began designing the final form of the stand with a focus on a hefty bottom and a rearranged PSU orientation. Using my calipers I was able to get an approximate distance from the bottom of my GPU's main body and the top of the motherboard. With the gap measurement in hand, I updated the frame design ratio'd against the measurement.
To avoid extreme warping, the 2 part frame was broken into 3 parts and I created an initial 6 bolt (what was I thinking!) mounting system that required the PSU to be removed to access the bolts.
This initial print has tolerance issues and the frame was too snug, but this iteration was inspiring as the basic shapes and sizing were exactly what I had hoped for.
V2
Expanding on the V1 design, I added cutouts for cables, simplified the join between the frame and the base, making it easier to assemble and stronger at the critical point where the three main parts meet.
If you are familiar with 3D printing, you may be looking at this design and saying, "Philip, this will surely lift," and you'd be right, most of the time! For V2, I printed all the main parts on a 45 degree angle, utilizing supports.
The print was unique. The texture is nice but overall, I have decided not to continue in this orientation due to a substantial increase in print time and while it fixed some warping, it introduced other warped areas.
The other issue I still ran into with this iteration was the motherboard screw mounts were still off despite checking multiple resources and measuring the motherboard with digital calipers. In the end, I've measured and the tolerances are within the range for 3D printed parts so I adjusted with this consideration in the final iteration.
V3
This is good. This is why I am obsessed with designing and building things.
- Started a new file in Fusion 360 to have clean drawings and components
- Fixed standoff positioning for 3D printing
- Tweaked stand design to make easily breakable pieces replaceable (eg. the PSU screw mount plate)
- Printed laying flat once more (and would have had perfect prints if it weren't for some overlapping in my role of filament.)
Wrap Up
What's next? I am going to test how the stand holds up to the conduction (small sample of a couple nights gaming and there is no deformation.)
I plan to design back plates for the CPU I/O Shield and the GPU, that can be screwed on/replaced similar to the plate on the PSU stand.
I have plans to build this stand in a multitude of materials, including getting it machined in aluminum and possibly anodized.
If you have any ideas or interest in getting your hands on this stand, let me know in the comments below!